Explore 19th-century India through “Sketches of Native Life in India,” a fascinating historical account first published in 1848. Written by Charles Richard Francis, a British observer serving the East India Company, this book offers an intimate glimpse into colonial Indian village life, customs, and spiritual practices. Featuring 22 evocative lithographic plates, Francis captures the essence of everyday existence and attempts to explain the diverse cultures to an English-speaking audience. This edition provides valuable insights into colonial perspectives, historical narratives, and the construction of knowledge about the colonized world. Essential reading for students and scholars of colonial history, postcolonial studies, and South Asian anthropology, offering a unique window into both rural India and the colonial gaze.